Richard James Bean

West Point, 1955

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by George Sibert on January 12, 2013:

Dick was the G1 of 4th Inf Div (Mech) when I was assigned to the division after CGSC in July 1972. By the time I arrived, he had become the commander of 1st Bn 10th Infantry. As a promotable major I was first assigned to the 3d Bde as S3 (his doing as G1). Dick's battalion was in the 3d Bde. Halloween 1972 Colorado Springs enjoyed a monster snow storm -- about 30+ inches. He came to my rescue with a ride home in his four-wheel drive suv/car. It took us about three hours to get home to Skyway where we both lived -- even with using all four wheels! One of Dick's hallmarks was a great sense of humor. Some months later I became his XO in the 10th Infantry. As a former Engineer officer and aviator, this was my first job which had an Infantry MOS. It was highly desired by me because I had many MOSs ranging from engineers to aviation to operations, but none beginning with 11 for Infantry (think it was 15 in those days, but became 11 with the passage of time). I always appreciated his taking onboard a soldier with ZERO backgound in a real infantry unit. I think his sense of humor helped in gambling on me. He was a fine battalion commander: my first Infantry battalion commander! Dick and Sally were also parishioners of the same church as my family, Chapel of Our Saviour Episcopal Church. There I was involved with acolytes, among them was Dick's son. I have not seen any of the Beans since leaving Colorado Springs in January 1976. Forunately, during those 3 1/2 years in the 4th Div and as neighbors in Skyway, we shared many activities which are now fine memories. Well done, Dick, be thou at peace.

admin